Baseboard to receive electrical lines

ABSTRACT

A baseboard for receiving electrical lines includes a cover board and holding means that is fastened to the wall for detachably and adjustably holding the cover board. When in place, the cover board conceals both the holding means and the electrical lines extending through the cover board.

Umted States Patent 1 1 1111 3,911,637

Schmidiger Oct. 14, 1975 1 BASEBOARD TO RECEIVE ELECTRICAL 1,809,223 6/1931 Tashjian 52/287 LINES 3,228,160 1 1966 0136611.... 52 290 x 3,286,422 11/1966 PangerL... 52/287 Inventor: Fritz Schmidiger, Loomatt Atrlum 3,349,530 10/1967 Zig1er 52/712 x 4, Stallikon, Zurich, Switzerland 3,374,590 3/1968 Kessler 52 717 [22] Filed: Apr. 4, 1974 Primary ExaminerPr1ce C. Faw, Jr. PP 457,695 Attorney, Agent, or FirmAnthony J. Casella [52] US. Cl. 52/287; 52/717; 339/23 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. E04F 17/08; E04F 19/04 [58] Field Of Search 52/717, 287, 290, 241, A basiboard i g ff elemfical. a 52021 273 339/23 cover oard an 0 mg means t at 18 astene to the wall for detachably and ad ustably holdmg the cover [56] References Cited board. when 1n place, the cover hoard conceals bath the holdmg means and the electncal lmes extendmg UNITED STATES PATENTS through the Cover board.

1,223,288 4 1917 Otte 1,611,325 12/1926 Tashjian 52 221 x 19 Claims, 11 Drawlng Flgures US. Patent 0a. 14, 1975 Sheet 1 of3 3,911,637

FIG. 1

FIG. 5

$5157 2; W :LJ

31. FIC5.7 FIG. 8 FIG. 11

BASEBOARD TO RECEIVE ELECTRICAL LINES The object of the present invention is a baseboard to receive electrical lines, consisting of a cover board and of means fastened to a wall for holding said cover board which is detachably connected to the holding means and in this connected position conceals both the holding means and the electrical lines.

Bipartite plastic baseboards of this type already exist. The part concealed by the cover board is in this case developed as a continuous section having a cross section such that it not only servesto hold the cover board fast, but at the same time has a plurality of ducts to receive wires or cables for electricity, telephone, etc.

The widespread use of such baseboard is impeded by the fundamental disadvantage that they can only be mounted after the laying of the final floor covering, the thickness of which varies depending on its nature (linoleum, carpeting, etc.). Entirely aside from the fact that the electrician must interrupt the work which he has started and in many cases is not immediately available after the final floor covering has been laid, there is also the disturbing fact that the subsequent attachment of the holding section which receives the electrical lines to the wall again causes the production of dirt.

The object of the present invention is in particular to eliminate this drawback. In accordance with the invention this is achieved in the manner that the detachable connection is so developed that the horizontally arranged cover board can be shifted in vertical direction with respect to the holding means and fastened at different heights.

Two illustrative embodiments of the subject matter of the invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view through a first embodiment of the baseboard in final mounted condition,

FIG. 2 is an outside view of a holding element with slides seated thereon and clamps borne by said slides,

FIG. 3 is a view of a clamp,

FIG. 4 is another sectional view through the embodiment of the baseboard,

FIG. 5 is a partial front view of the cover board with an outlet borne by it,

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the cover board of FIG. 5 with an installation frame,

FIG. 7 is a sectional view through a second embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 8 is another sectional view through the example shown in FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a front view, partially broken away, of the baseboard of FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the holding means employed in the second embodiment, and

FIG. 11 is a top view of said holding means.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, it can be noted that the holding means for supporting and holding the cover board, etc., fast comprise on their rear side flat supports I which can be fastened by screws 2 at regular intervals to a wall 3. Each support 1 has two ribs 5 and 6 parallel to each other which are bent, as seen in cross section, and define a slotted duct. At its lower end the support I is bent to form a tab 7. The latter rests on the floor 9. A supporting wing 8 isalso integral with the support. On this wing there rests a continuous, extruded plastic section 10 whose cross section in the embodiment shown is so selected as to produce two open ducts for the insertion of electrical lines. The twinwires designated 11 can, for instance, be a telephone line, while the wires 12 can serve for transmitting current for electric lights or power. Line 13 is a screened television antenna cable. In certain cases the section 10 can also be equipped only with a single conductor duct or with more than two.

Thickened extensions 16 from horizontally displaceable slides 15 extend into the slotted duct formed by the ribs 5 and 6. On these slides there are seated vertically displaceable clamps 17. The clamps have a threaded bore hole to receive a screw 24 which is seated on the cover board 20 and is readily accessible to the electrician.

Due to the possibility of vertical displacement of the clamp 17, the cover board 20 can easily be lifted as long as the screws 24 have not yet been tightened (indicated in dashed line in FIG. 2). Thus it is readily possible to mount the electric lines, the outlets, switches, connection boxes and branch boxes connected to them, and the baseboards intended to receive said lines and electrical parts before the final floor has been laid. The mounting of the cover board 20 is facilitated by the possibility of horizontal displacement of the slides 15. The cover board therefore-will be brought first of all into the position shown in dashed line in FIG. 1 after the laying and connecting of the wires 11, 12 and 13 and then the screws 24 which are arranged at regular intervals on the cover board will be provisionally tightened. After the final floor covering 19 has been laid,

' the cover board, after temporarily loosening the screws 24, can be lowered by any handyman to such an extent that its lower edge rests on the floor covering 19. The edge of the bent part 21 rests against the wall or the plaster 4 present thereonzThe advantage of the baseboard of the invention is also readily apparent when the problem of cleaning, repair or replacement of the floor covering arises.

From FIGS. 1 and 4 it can be noted that the lower part of the coverboard 20 is pressed against the end of the supporting wing 8. In order that'the main surface of the cover board 20 remain vertical even in case of varying thicknesses of the wall plaster 4, the supporting wing which acts as spacer and supporting arm is provided in the region of its free edge with a plurality of longitudinal notches which permit a corresponding shortening of the supporting wing. In the case shown in FIG. 4, the supporting wing has not been shortened, in contradistinction to the showing of FIG. 1.

The electrical switches and distributing elements are advantageously held directly by the cover board 20. For this purpose the cross section of the plastic cover board 20 which is produced by extrusion is so selected that two grooves 22 and 23 which are parallel to and face each other are produced on its inside. Installation frames 25 punched out of metal sheet and provided with reinforcing ribs 26 pressed therein can be inserted into said grooves. In the example shown (see in particular FIG. 6) there are concerned frames to receive three switches, outlets or the like. In principle the installation frames could also have a different number of openings (only one opening or a number other than three). After the provision of corresponding openings in the cover board 20, for which operation a simple hand punch, for instance, can be used, and after the insertion of the installation frames, standardized switch apparatus or distributing elements can be inserted into the openings.

The outlet 27 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is provided for this purpose with serrated stop springs 28 on both sides.

In order to impart greater stability to the cover board 20, reinforcing elements 29 of sheet metal can be inserted into the grooves 22 and 23 at given intervals. The contour of these elements is such that they can be clamped fast in the grooves by twisting. The use of such reinforcements may be indicated, particularly in the region of the holes, for the passage of the fastening screws 24.

The same reference numbers have been used in the drawing for the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-11 as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 already described insofar as the parts shown therein fulfill the same function. One difference in particular, however, is that the second embodiment the profile of the plastic cover board is so shaped that ducts 31 and 32 are produced to receive the wires 11 and 12. The holding in this case consist of a plurality of doubly bent supports 33 fastened by screws 2 to the wall 3, the part of said supports which rests against the inside of the cover board being forked, so that the remaining metal strips 34 act as guide rails for the vertical displacement of a clamp 36 which is provided with a front tab 37 and two lateral tabs 38. Between each support 33 and the clamp 36 held by it, a coil spring 39 is provided. This spring sees to it that the cover board 20 is automatically held in its upper end position as long as the screws 24 are loose. For the final fastening of the cover board it is merely necessary to push it downward until it contacts the floor covering 19 or 19', whereupon it is held permanently in this position by tightening the screws 24.

From a comparison of FIGS. 7 and 8 there can be noted the possibility of using the baseboard for floor coverings of different thickness. In the highest position of the cover board, the clamp assumes the position shown in FIG. 10.

Finally, it can also be seen from FIGS. 8 and 9 that the outlet 27 is not fixed to the cover board 20 by means of an installation frame. Instead of such frames, bent holding springs 41 the ends of which terminate in two sharp points are anchored on both sides of the opening 40 in two grooves 42 and 43 which are parallel to each other. These holding springs cooperate with the lock springs 28 in the same manner as the transverse arms of the installation frames.

Various other variants are conceivable without going beyond the inventive concept. Thus, for instance, the connection between the holding means and the cover board could be developed as a plug connection. In this case spring means could see to it that the lower edge of the cover board rests on the floor covering unless the cover board is in its upper end position in which it can be provisionally held fast by suitable means. It is furthermore possible, for instance, to use as holding means for the cover board a continuous plastic section which can be fastened directly to a wall and which forms on the one hand a duct for the electrical lines and on the other hand a support for vertically and possibly horizontally displaceable holding elements. In accordance with the first embodiment, these elements could I tion. Furthermore, the system as such is flexible, since extensions and multiple types can be developed without difficulty.

The embodiments of the invention, in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed, are defined as follows:

1. Baseboard for the receiving of electrical lines, consisting of a cover board and means fastened to a wall for holding said cover board which is detachably connected with the holding means and in this connected position conceals both theholding means and the electrical lines, characterized by the fact that the detachable connection is developed in such a manner that the horizontally arranged cover board (20) can be displaced vertically with respect to the holding means (1, 33) and fastened in different vertical positions, and wherein said holding means consist of at least one metal support (1) which is fastened to a wall and serves simultaneously as mount for a plastic section (10) having at least one open duct to receive the electrical lines (11, 12), said support (1) bears at least one horizontally displaceable slide (15) and a clamp (17) which is vertically displaceable on said slide and is in engagement with a fastening member (24) of the cover board.

2. Baseboard according to claim 1 wherein said cover board is provided with at least one open duct (31, 32) to receive electrical lines.

3. Baseboard according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the cover board (20) consists of plastic.

4. Baseboard according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the cover board (20) is so developed that electrical switch apparatus or distributing elements which are accessible from the outside can be fastened to it.

5. Baseboard for the receiving of electrical lines, consisting of a cover board and means fastened to a wall for holding said cover board which is detachably connected with the holding means and in this connected position conceals both the holding means and the electrical lines, characterized by the fact that the detachable connection is developed in such a manner that the horizontally arranged cover board (20) can be displaced vertically with respect to the holding means (1, 33) and fastened in different vertical positions, and wherein said holding means consist of a continuous plastic section which is directly fastened to a wall and on the one hand is provided with open ducts to receive .the electrical lines and on the other hand is provided with horizontally displaceable slides and clamps supported in vertically adjustable position on said slides,

the clamps being so developed that they cooperate with fastening members of the cover board.

6. Baseboard according to claim 5 wherein the cover board (20) is provided with at least one open duct (31, 32) to receive the electrical lines (11, 12).

7. Baseboard according to claim 5 wherein the cover board (20) consists of plastic.

8. Baseboard according to claim 5, wherein the cover board (20) is so developed that electrical switch apparatus or distributing elements which are accessible from the outside can be fastened to it.

9. Baseboard for the receiving of electrical lines, consisting of a cover board and means fastened to a wall for holding said cover board which is detachably connected with the holding means and in this connected position conceals both the holding means and the electrical lines, characterized by the fact that the detachable connection is developed in such a manner that the horizontally arranged cover board can be displaced vertically with respect to the holding means (1, 33) and fastened in different vertical positions and wherein the holding means (33) have springs (39) which hold the cover board (20) in its upper end position as long as it has not been fastened in final manner to the holding means.

10. Baseboard according to claim 9 wherein the cover board (20) is provided with at least one open duct (31, 32) to receive the electrical lines (11, 12).

11. Baseboard according to claim 9, wherein the cover board (20) consists of plastic.

12. Baseboard according to claim 9, wherein the cover board (20) is so developed that electrical switch apparatus or distributing elements which are accessible from the outside can be fastened to it.

13. Baseboard for receiving electrical lines, consisting of a hollow cover board and means which may be fastened to a wall for holding the cover board, whereby said cover board can be detachably connected at the holding means and in this connected position conceals both the holding means and the electrical lines, characterized by the fact that the holding means consist of a plurality of separated metallic supports (1 in that screws (24) are provided including a head accessible from the outside of the cover board (20) and which cooperate in such a way with the cover board and said supports that the cover board (20) may be displaced vertically with respect to said supports (1) as long as the screws (24) are loosened and may be fixed at a desired vertical position by tightening the screws, and in that the cover board has a flat portion extending in the longitudinal direction for directly mounting electrical switches or distributing elements (27) onto the cover board.

14. Baseboard according to claim 13 wherein the metallic supports (1) are provided with means for holding a plastic section (10) having at least one open duct to receive electrical lines.

15. Baseboard according to claim 13 wherein the cover board (20) is provided with at least one open duct (31, 32) to receive the electrical lines (11, l2).

l6. Baseboard according to claim 15 wherein the cover board is provided with one open duct (31) above its fiat portion and one open duct (32) below said flat portion.

17. Baseboard according to claim 13 wherein the support (1) bears at least one horizontally displaceable slide (15) and a clamp (17) which is vertically displaceable on said slide and is in engagement with a fastening member (24) of the cover board.

18. Baseboard according to claim 13 wherein the holding means (33) have springs (39) which hold the cover board (20) in its upper end position as long as it has not been fastened in final manner to the holding means.

19. Baseboard according to claim 13 wherein the cover board (20) consists of a plastic material. 

1. Baseboard for the receiving of electrical lines, consisting of a cover board and means fastened to a wall for holding said cover board which is detachably connected with the holding means and in this connected position conceals both the holding means and the electrical lines, characterized by the fact that the detachable connection is developed in such a manner that the horizontally arranged cover board (20) can be displaced vertically with respect to the holding means (1, 33) and fastened in different vertical positions, and wherein said holding means consist of at least one metal support (1) which is fastened to a wall and serves simultaneously as mount for a plastic section (10) having at least one open duct to receive the electrical lines (11, 12), said support (1) bears at least one horizontally displaceable slide (15) and a clamp (17) which is vertically displaceable on said slide and is in engagement with a fastening member (24) of the cover board.
 2. Baseboard according to claim 1 wherein said cover board is provided with at least one open duct (31, 32) to receive electrical lines.
 3. Baseboard according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the cover board (20) consists of plastic.
 4. Baseboard according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the cover board (20) is so developed that electrical switch apparatus or distributing elements which are accessible from the outside can be fastened to it.
 5. Baseboard for the receiving of electrical lines, consisting of a cover board and means fastened to a wall for holding said cover board which is detachably connected with the holding means and in this connected position conceals both the holding means and the electrical lines, characterized by the fact that the detachable connection is developed in such a manner that the horizontally arranged cover board (20) can be displaced vertically with respect to the holding means (1, 33) and fastened in different vertical positions, and wherein said holding means consist of a continuous plastic section which is directly fastened to a wall and on the one hand is provided with open ducts to receive the electrical lines and on the other hand is provided with horizontally displaceable slides and clamps supported in vertically adjustable position on said slides, the clamps being so developed that they cooperate with fastening members of the cover board.
 6. Baseboard according to claim 5 wherein the cover board (20) is provided with at least one open duct (31, 32) to receive the electrical lines (11, 12).
 7. Baseboard according to claim 5 wherein the cover board (20) consists of plastic.
 8. Baseboard according to claim 5, wherein the cover board (20) is so developed that electrical switch apparatus or distributing elements which are accessible from the outside can be fastened to it.
 9. Baseboard for the receiving of electrical lines, consisting of a cover board and means fastened to a wall for holding said cover board which is detachably connected with the holding means and in this connected position conceals both the holding means and the electrical lines, characterized by the fact that the detachable connection is developed in such a manner that the horizontally arranged cover board (20) can be displaced vertically with respect to the holding means (1, 33) and fastened in different vertical positions and wherein the holding means (33) have springs (39) which hold the cover board (20) in its upper end position as long as it has not been fastened in final manner to the holding means.
 10. Baseboard according to claim 9 wherein the cover board (20) is provided with at least one open duct (31, 32) to receive the electrical lines (11, 12).
 11. Baseboard according to claim 9, wherein the cover board (20) consists of plastic.
 12. Baseboard according to claim 9, wherein the cover board (20) is so developed that electrical switch apparatus or distributing elements which are accessible from the outside can be fastened to it.
 13. Baseboard for receiving electrical lines, consisting of a hollow cover board and means which may be fastened to a wall for holding the cover board, whereby said cover board can be detachably connected at the holding means and in this connected position conceals both the holding means and the electrical lines, characterized by the fact that the holding means consist of a plurality of separated metallic supports (1), in that screws (24) are provided including a head accessible from the outside of the cover Board (20) and which cooperate in such a way with the cover board and said supports that the cover board (20) may be displaced vertically with respect to said supports (1) as long as the screws (24) are loosened and may be fixed at a desired vertical position by tightening the screws, and in that the cover board has a flat portion extending in the longitudinal direction for directly mounting electrical switches or distributing elements (27) onto the cover board.
 14. Baseboard according to claim 13 wherein the metallic supports (1) are provided with means for holding a plastic section (10) having at least one open duct to receive electrical lines.
 15. Baseboard according to claim 13 wherein the cover board (20) is provided with at least one open duct (31, 32) to receive the electrical lines (11, 12).
 16. Baseboard according to claim 15 wherein the cover board is provided with one open duct (31) above its flat portion and one open duct (32) below said flat portion.
 17. Baseboard according to claim 13 wherein the support (1) bears at least one horizontally displaceable slide (15) and a clamp (17) which is vertically displaceable on said slide and is in engagement with a fastening member (24) of the cover board.
 18. Baseboard according to claim 13 wherein the holding means (33) have springs (39) which hold the cover board (20) in its upper end position as long as it has not been fastened in final manner to the holding means.
 19. Baseboard according to claim 13 wherein the cover board (20) consists of a plastic material. 